German Chancellor Angela Merkel earned a standing ovation from Israel's parliament Tuesday after pledging to stand by Israel's side against any threat, particularly from Iran, and paying tribute to the victims of the Holocaust.

In an emotional speech, Merkel said Germans are still "filled with shame" about the Nazi genocide of 6 million Jews. Yet her extraordinarily warm reception by the Jewish state also signaled that the two nations are increasingly willing to look to the future.

Germany has proven a staunch ally of Israel, particularly since Merkel became chancellor in 2005. Israel's leaders said they are counting on Germany to take a lead in diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

"I think that we were able to open a new chapter in German-Israeli relations," Merkel later told Germany's n-tv television, brushing aside suggestions that her strong support for Israel could make Germany appear biased against the Palestinians. "We're on Israel's side and despite that, and perhaps because of that, on the side of the peace process," she said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel earned a standing ovation from Israel's parliament Tuesday after pledging to stand by Israel's side against any threat, particularly from Iran, and paying tribute to the victims of the Holocaust.

Bump that. May the great countries of Israel and Germany, and as well the bond between both states, never cease to exist!

I´m afraid to disturb your view of the world, but the ca. 5 billion US $ exports from Germany to Iran in 2006 are far from being 1% of Germany´s exports. The problem is not Germany, the problem are the UN veto powers China and Russia.

Russia and China’s veto power does not affect the unilateral decisions of Germany. They can enact their own sactions against Iran as the U.S. has done. They could even push for meaningful sactions from the E.U. The Germans are unwilling to pass on this market even though Iran is a state sponsor of terror and has terrorist proxies that actively wage war on Germany’s allies.

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